Lahore: Pakistan on Saturday strongly reacted to India's suspension of bilateral sporting ties, saying any talks in this regard would be held on equal footing and there would be no more pleading for negotiations. India's Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry on Thursday announced it would not play any bilateral sports events with Pakistan, even on neutral venues.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry clarified that Indian teams and individual players will continue to participate in international events that include teams or players from Pakistan. This new policy will not affect the upcoming Asia Cup, a multi-lateral event, scheduled for next month. The much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash for the T20 Asia Cup is set to take place in Dubai on September 14.

Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, emphasized during a news conference in Lahore that future talks with India will occur on equal terms. "I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality," Naqvi stated.

The historical political and military tensions between the two nations have often impacted sports and people-to-people connections. Last year, India declined to play Champions Trophy cricket matches in Pakistan, resulting in some matches being relocated to the UAE. The South Asian neighbors, both nuclear-armed, were involved in a four-day conflict in May, which concluded with a US-brokered ceasefire.